Whether it’s because of closed schools, a pandemic, or bad weather, being cooped up indoors with kids can quickly turn into a nightmare. All that pent-up energy can cause your toddler to misbehave, ping-ponging off the walls and using your couch as a trampoline.

What’s the secret to keeping your kids engaged and happy? Two words: activity cubes. These toys are equipped with different activities, exposing your little one to new sounds and textures, among other sensory experiences.

In the following post, we’ll highlight everything you need to know regarding activity cubes for toddlers.

What are activity cubes?

An activity cube is a block-like structure designed with several mobile elements or activities that your toddler can do.

These toys vary widely in terms of the material used in their construction and the accessories they come with. For instance, some are made of wood, whereas others are purely plastic.

Similarly, some are powered by batteries, allowing them to illuminate and/or produce sounds.

Nonetheless, even models that don’t include such features are equally fun to play with due to the range of activities incorporated in them. As an example, several cubes come with doors that can be shut and opened and spinning gears or beads that can be navigated along a maze.

When is the right time to buy an activity cube?

During your baby’s first few months of life, they may enjoy age-appropriate play activities, like shaking a rattle. It’s not until they reach the half-year mark that they’ll be able to play with more sophisticated toys such as activity cubes.

Here are a few pointers to help you choose an age-appropriate activity cube for your kids:

6 to 9 months old

At this age, the best activity cubes are those that encourage sensory play. Simply put, they help to introduce your little one to the world by way of touch, sight, and hearing. Think activity cubes that come in contrasting colors, generate soft sounds, or have different textures.

9 to 12 months old

During this period, your baby will cross some grand milestones, like learning to stand up by themselves, cruising, and perhaps even taking their first steps.

Taking this into account, you’ll want to look for activity cubes that encourage them to be mobile. Consider sturdy blocks that your toddler can hold onto when they’re trying to stand up on their own.

Activity models that inspire visual and hearing senses through complex sounds and flashing lights are also an excellent choice.

12 to 24 months

By this time, your tot is completely mobile and hyperactive. Therefore, look for activity cubes that can develop their balance and coordination. A good case in point is the activity cube equipped with beads that need to be moved along a maze.

Themed activity cubes are also ideal for this age group. For instance, you can look for a cube with a theme centered around animals or farm tools.

2+ years

With kids in this age group, focus on activity cubes that encourage their cognitive ability. Think of models that allow your child to develop name recognition and literacy skills. Such toys offer your toddler a visual representation of what they’re used to hearing.

A good example is an activity cube that shows a picture of a certain animal and then produces the respective sound it emits. This way, your child can learn to distinguish animals based on their sounds.

Activity blocks that show pictures of different shapes, numbers, and letters are also suitable for this age group.

Benefits of activity cubes

Still hesitant to buy your toddler an activity cube? Here are a few benefits you can expect:

1. Enhance cognitive development

Most activity cubes cover several learning areas, ranging from language development to numbers, letters, shapes, and more.

As research shows, nearly 90% of a child’s brain develops between the age of 0 and 5. It means that this is the best time to introduce your little one to basic concepts. Activity cubes offer a fun and effective way to teach these fundamentals.

2. Foster physical development

Activity cubes foster not only intellectual capability but also physical development.

More specifically, they enhance fine motor skills—movements that engage a baby’s small muscle groups, such as the wrists. These skills are critical for helping your toddler cross major milestones such as picking things up and feeding themselves.

With activity cubes, your little one learns to open and close, grasp, reach for, and transfer objects. All these activities help to improve their fine motor skills.

3. Provide entertainment

Another reason why you should consider activity cubes is the fact that they offer endless entertainment.

Unlike ordinary toys, which have 1 or 2 activities, these cubes offer several things your child can do. Thus, they can keep your toddler engaged for longer.

As a bonus, activity cubes free you from babysitting. This means you can have a few moments to yourself, whether you’re looking to do chores or just sit down and relax.

Reviews of the best baby activity cubes

Here are some of the best baby activity tubes:

1. VTech Busy Learners activity cube

If you’re searching for the best activity cube for your 6-month old, the VTech Busy Learners model is just what you need.

It has 5 interactive sides, all of them designed to encourage imaginative play through illuminating buttons, bold colors, spinners, and music.

You’ll see 4 buttons at the top, each one customized for a specific function. Every time you press a button, there’s a concept being taught, such as the shape or color of the button or the name or sound produced by the animal drawn on the button. The other sides teach your toddler ABCs while also engaging their fine motor skills.

We were also impressed with the ease of use. This cube comes with 2 AAA batteries, meaning it’s ready to use straight out of the box.

2. Learning Resources MathLink Cubes Early Math activity set

Planning to teach your preschooler some basic math concepts? If so, this MathLink Cubes set will really come in handy.

It contains at least 100 brightly colored cubes that are sure to make your toddler’s learning sessions fun. Use the cubes to teach your child how to count, sort, and match.

Also included in the package is a set of 15 write-and-wipe activity cards. With the cards, you can teach your toddler concepts like addition, subtraction, and sequencing. They also help your kids practice what they learn.

3. Battat wooden activity cube

Wooden activity cubes are a parent favorite, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are they safe for your child but also better for the environment.

On that note, the Battat wooden activity cube is a pretty good investment. The 5-sided activity center is based around a farm theme.

We particularly like the fact that it includes an assortment of activities, among them a bead maze, a zigzag racetrack, peek-a-boo doors, and mix-and-match puzzles.

4. Playskool Form Fitter activity cube toy

Looking to introduce your little one to shapes? Then check out the Playskool Form Fitter activity cube.

The set is designed for kids aged 1.5+. It comes with vibrantly colored shapes, which are small-sized enough for their tiny hands to grasp.

Your child will have an opportunity to sort, shake, and attempt to fit these shapes into their respective slots in the cube.

The best thing about the Playskool activity cube is that it doubles up as a storage unit. One side is designed to flip open and snap shut, so once your baby is done playing, put all the items inside the box and close it.

5. TOYVENTIVE wooden activity cube

Toyventive is often ranked among the best activity cubes, and rightly so. It scores top marks for its versatility, user-friendliness, and affordability. Unlike other models that only offer an activity or two, this one can be used in 5 different ways.

For starters, it includes a wooden bead maze that your toddler will enjoy navigating. It also doubles up as a clock, making it easy to introduce your little one to the concept of time.

This unit also comes with a shape sorter, spinning gears, and an abacus. And that’s not all. The manufacturer is kind enough to incorporate an essential words ebook and 9 stacking cups that your baby can play with both indoors and outdoors.

Conclusion

Have you been searching for toys that will keep your toddler entertained for longer? Well, you can’t go wrong with the best activity cubes. They’re designed to enhance babies’ dexterity and fine motor skills while also developing their creativity, imagination, and independent play.